I understand what you are saying, Shambles, but I do still believe that some kinds of performance are more suited to a quiet, well-managed pub than anywhere else - I much prefer to sit in a small room , with a pint, and enjoy what is a rare experience these days - the opportunity to see a professional performer - one who has honed skills in presentation, who tells me about the background to the song or tune I am about to hear - who has the panache to know how to handle an audience etc - and to hear that in a small, relaxed environment, without PA or theatre style seating.

Why? For the same reasons that you would prefer your sessions to be held there rather than in some soul-less room in a school or village hall (equally appropriate for sessions, as for informal concerts i would submit). It is a relaxed, comfortable environment.

Middlewich are fortunate in having the Boar's Head - a large Victorian, towncentre pub, with several rooms. At the weekend they were having a session in the bar, and two function rooms were hosting different types of informal concerts - one more raucous than the other. They all managed to co-exist, except for one spot where (if one was at the bar waiting to be served) two songs / tunes met, somewhat discordantly. With a bit of proper planning, they could have managed to get both rooms doing the same tune in the same key! (Joke)